Quantitative histologic evaluation reveals different degree of liver atrophy in cachectic and starved dogs

Ricci, Emanuele ORCID: 0000-0001-9751-0661, D'Aquino, Ilaria, Paciello, Orlando, Whitfield, Vanessa and Ressel, Lorenzo ORCID: 0000-0002-6614-1223 (2022) Quantitative histologic evaluation reveals different degree of liver atrophy in cachectic and starved dogs. JOURNAL OF VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION, 34 (6). pp. 937-943.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10406387221128326

Abstract

Cases of neglect in dogs are among the forensic cases submitted most commonly for postmortem examination. Starvation is a form of primary protein-energy malnutrition in which the availability of food is severely restricted or absent; cachexia is a form of protein-energy malnutrition secondary to progressive metabolic derangement during chronic diseases. Despite both conditions leading to an emaciated appearance of the cadaver, discrimination between the two is crucial in forensic cases. We hypothesized that among emaciated dogs, the degree of liver atrophy in starved animals is higher than in cachectic ones, and that this can be investigated microscopically, regardless of the degree of cadaver decomposition. We studied 46 animals: 23 starved, 11 cachectic, and 12 control dogs. Portal tracts were identified by the presence of a bile duct and associated vascular structures recognizable by a thin rim of collagen still visible regardless of the degree of cadaver decomposition. The number of portal tracts per lpf (10×) was used as an indirect measure of atrophy. The number of portal tracts in starved dogs was significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01) compared to both cachectic and control dogs, indicating a higher degree of liver atrophy in starvation. Measuring the density of portal tracts offers a reliable additional tool for discrimination between starvation and cachexia.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	atrophy, dogs, cachexia, forensic pathology, liver, starvation
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2022 06:35
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 20:40
DOI:	10.1177/10406387221128326
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1177/10406387221128326
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3165165